Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Fight and Retreat

Chi Yu stood at the head of the unit, his expression blank as he observed the Konoha shinobi splitting into two coordinated squads.

It had been five days since their request for reinforcements was sent to Konoha.

Considering the distance between Konoha and the Land of Hot Water, as well as the time required to mobilize support, they estimated it would take at least another day and a half for backup to arrive.

Their mission until then was simple, but grueling: hold the line against the advancing forces of Kumogakure for the next 36 hours, buying as much time as possible without letting the front collapse.

From the rear, Jiraiya called out, "Your student really takes after you, Orochimaru. Smart, skilled... but far too cold. We're all comrades here. What's with that heartless attitude?"

Orochimaru replied without looking at him, "There's no such thing as comrades on the battlefield, Jiraiya. There are only commanders and subordinates. Emotions only cloud judgment. Chi Yu's detachment allows him to assess the situation with precision."

He glanced at Jiraiya coldly. "Rules must be established first—only then will orders be followed. Without discipline, a unit collapses into chaos. You, Jiraiya, let your emotions lead. That's why you falter in command."

Jiraiya sighed heavily. "Which is exactly why I'm not cut out to lead an operation like this. Still… Chi Yu's attitude isolates him. It's a shame he and Minato don't get along. They could've been excellent partners. Such a waste."

Then, with a small laugh, he added, "But who knows? You and I used to be at odds, and look at us now. Maybe Chi Yu and Minato will become close too, eventually. What do you think, Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru gave him a long, unreadable stare but said nothing.

Jiraiya frowned. "What? Why the look? I'm not wrong, am I? Things change in war—friendships form in the most unexpected ways."

Still no response. Orochimaru simply turned his gaze forward, arms folded.

His mind was elsewhere. Bonds held no value to him anymore. His path was clear: eternal life and the mastery of all jutsu.

Chi Yu had his own singular goal—Kushina Uzumaki.

Orochimaru understood clearly: if their objectives collided, even teacher and student would become enemies.

And Orochimaru would show no hesitation. If Chi Yu stood in the way of his immortality, he would cut him down.

At that moment, a white serpent slithered to Orochimaru's feet, delivering intelligence on the enemy's movement.

Orochimaru looked toward Chi Yu and nodded.

Chi Yu returned the nod and called out, "Everyone, move out!"

With practiced precision, the Konoha shinobi began a tactical retreat.

---

Fifty Kumogakure shinobi advanced, approaching the Konoha encampment cautiously.

They moved deliberately—every trained shinobi knew a stationary camp would be laden with traps.

Sure enough, they found one.

As they dismantled the first, a shout pierced the still air.

"It's a double-layer trap! Be caref—!"

But it was too late.

The secondary trap activated with a violent explosion, hurling shuriken through the smoke and flame.

Those with sharp reflexes evaded just in time.

Those slower met injury—or death.

Yet the damage wasn't crippling. These traps were meant to stall, not to kill.

Still, they achieved their purpose: the enemy slowed, wary now of every branch and stone.

And that time was exactly what Konoha needed.

Chi Yu's pace adjusted accordingly. Their goal wasn't escape—it was to prolong the enemy's advance.

A serpent coiled around his arm—the relay conduit from Orochimaru's rear intelligence network.

Chi Yu raised a hand. "Halt! All ninja and shadow clones: set traps immediately. If you're out of tags or tools, fabricate decoys."

They waited for the enemy to close the gap.

Soon, the serpent delivered another message.

Chi Yu ordered the unit to move again.

Despite the traps, the Kumogakure force continued to close the distance.

From the rear guard, Orochimaru and Jiraiya watched as the enemy emerged from the treeline.

Jiraiya leapt onto a high branch, hands flashing through seals.

"Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet!"

Chakra-infused oil spewed from his mouth, ignited by fire chakra and launched in a roaring wave toward the enemy.

The oil-fueled flames clung to clothing and flesh, difficult to extinguish.

The forest around them only fed the blaze, momentarily halting Kumogakure's pursuit.

The enemy commander's eyes narrowed at the sight of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

If both were here… then neither was commanding the operation.

Which meant someone else was—someone Konoha trusted to lead in their stead.

"Flank them!" the Kumogakure commander barked. "Two squads, seven each—loop around to intercept the Konoha forces head-on! Request reinforcements from nearby teams!"

Two units split off, bypassing Orochimaru and Jiraiya to cut off the main force.

Chi Yu gave no reaction, eyes fixed forward as he led the unit.

Suddenly, Minato Namikaze arrived at his side in a yellow blur. "Chi Yu! Traces of enemy movement on our right flank!"

"Can you confirm their numbers?"

"Negative. We only have one sensory-type shinobi with us!"

Chi Yu frowned. "Return to formation."

Minato hesitated, expecting Chi Yu to issue a proactive counter.

But Chi Yu didn't budge.

"These enemy scouts are likely trying to bait us. With only one sensor, we lack accurate intel. If we act now, we risk stepping into their trap. Go."

"…Understood."

Minato retreated, though visibly displeased.

Chi Yu's hand flicked, summoning the system interface.

Their sensory capabilities were a glaring weakness—and Chi Yu himself lacked any detection skills.

He began browsing the exchange system.

There had to be a way to fill that gap.

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